[News] Beyond a military response: How does the Axis overcome assassinations?

[Anti-Imperialist News]

english.almayadeen.net
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/beyond-a-military-response--how-does-the-axis-overcome-assas>
Beyond a military response: How does the Axis overcome assassinations?
Ali Halawi
August 20, 2024
------------------------------

Despite facing relentless Israeli-US assassinations of their leaders,
factions within the Axis of Resistance have formed some of the region's
most potent liberation movements. How did they accomplish this?
[image: 68a9ccdf-405d-4005-9d9f-b677a4c13313.png]

   - From left to right: martyr Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi, martyr Sheikh Ahmad
   Yassin, martyr Ismail Haniyeh, martyr Fouad Shokor, martyr Imad Mughniyeh,
   and martyr Mustafa Badreddineseen an illustration (Illustrated by Mahdi
   Rtail; Al Mayadeen English)

"Israel" committed two atrocious crimes in a span of a day, assassinating
the second-in-command of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah, Sayyed
Fouad Shokor
<https://english.almayadeen.net/in-pictures/fouad-shokor--founding-member-of-lebanon-s-islamic-resistanc>,
and the leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement - Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/ismail-haniyeh-s-journey-of-resistance--from-exile-to-martyr>
.

The two attempts on the lives of the Resistance leaders took place
thousands of kilometers apart, the first of which was in the Southern
Suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, while the second occurred in northern Tehran,
Iran. Both marked unprecedented escalation in the ongoing Battle of Al-Aqsa
Flood, due to the caliber of the leaders and the locations attacked.

   - [image: How the Axis of Resistance overcomes Israeli assassinations]
   <https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/8/3/665f3370-8321-4e66-95bc-da2bcb9b8b28.jpg?width=1000>
   Yemenis protest to condemn the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, in
   Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. Arabic reads, "Martyr Ismail Haniyeh".
   (AP)

By making such a dangerous leap, analysts believe that the Israeli regime
is making a strong, probably irreversible, bid for an all-out war, shunning
any possibility for a diplomatic deal that would see its woes numbed for
the meantime. To the general public, specifically Israeli settlers, the
Israeli regime markets these assassinations as quintessential to securing
the settler colonial project's continuity and security, as well as a claim
to victory against enemies.

On the other hand, the affected factions assert that the assassinations
will not deter them. Instead, they argue these events will only strengthen
their resolve and deepen their commitment to resisting occupation.

*Read more: Hezbollah unveils underground Imad 4 missile facility: Footage
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hezbollah-unveils-underground-imad-4-missile-facility--foota>*
Do assassinations enhance Israeli security?

Political assassinations might cause short-term turbulence within the
leadership framework of political factions and they may also affect
organizational stances and priorities. Through high-profile assassinations,
conducted by the Israeli military and intelligence agencies such as the
Mossad, the Israeli occupation was able to influence the general direction
of political movements, by eliminating key revolutionary figures in the
past.

Fatah, one of the most popular Palestinian political organizations and
among the first to champion resistance and Palestinian nationalism,
eventually saw its political core succumb to Israeli pressure. Eliminating
leaders such as Fatah's Khalil al-Wazir, known as Abu Jihad, and Yasser
Arafat, at different stages, produced some of the worst results for the
Palestinian national liberation struggle.

In the case of Fatah, the available cadre played an important role in
transforming ideals of armed resistance until the full liberation of
Palestine to defeatist and supposedly pragmatist policies that benefitted a
few to the detriment of nations.

However, organizations with radically different ideologies, membership
criteria, and military and organizational structures were immune to the
same Israeli policies.

Namely, Islamic-oriented political organizations, such as Hezbollah, the
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and Hamas, saw multiple rounds of
assassination campaigns, yet both their political and military influence
grew exponentially over the years.

When comparing the two phenomena, it is critical to observe the deep-rooted
ideas that Islamic and revolutionary organizations adopt. Revolutionary
Marxist organizations, such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of
Palestine (PFLP) and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine
(DFLP) share similar experiences. Although the two fronts lost stamina in
the 2000s, they remained steadfast in their ideological basis, refusing the
Oslo Accords an ineffective US-led two-state solution. They also remained
relevant in the military sphere, as their fighters continue to participate
in near-daily confrontations
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-helicopters-evacuate-troops-from-gaza-after-deadly-o#:~:text=The%20Popular%20Front%20for%20the%20Liberation%20of%20Palestine%27s%20(PFLP)>
with Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip, although to a lesser
extent than al-Qassam and al-Quds Brigades.

The two parties remain crucial to the Palestinian political makeup,
however, their deterioration may be closely linked to the strong rise in
Islamic political organizations, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and
failed strategies. Conversely, Israeli assassinations had little effect on
their ideals.

For example, although "Israel" assassinated the PFLP renowned
Secretary-General martyr Abu Ali Moustapha and later detained his successor
Ahmad Saadat, the front continues to engage in high-level meetings
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/palestinian-factions-sign--beijing-declaration>
and talks with other Resistance factions and maintains its military
presence in both the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.

Among the three earliest Palestinian political movements, the impact of the
assassinations has varied significantly. In some instances, these actions
have boosted Israeli security, while in others, they have had the opposite
effect. Certain movements have even capitalized on these incidents to
expand and strengthen their operational capabilities.

*Read more: Who is Imad Mughniyeh, Hezbollah's mastermind legendary
strategist?
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/who-is-imad-mughniyeh--hezbollah-s-mastermind-legendary-stra>*
Exploiting assassinations

In the current geopolitical atmosphere, Islamic Resistance factions have
been able to overcome high-profile assassinations. This is especially true
when examining the long-term development of these movements.

Bennifetting of rooted ideological structures, and popular support stemming
from cultural and social support networks they initiated, these movements
grew stronger after every assassination attempt, successful or not.

Generally, the founding leaders are viewed by their comrades and
subordinates as icons who initiated movements that snatched entire peoples
from an ailing slump and pushed them toward success. As such assassinations
only strengthened such beliefs, as the events add to the legitimacy of the
movements' stories.

In the case of Hezbollah, the assassination of their top leaders, such as
Sheikh Ragheb Harb, Sayyed Abbas Mousawi, Imad Mughniyeh
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-officers-warn-of-increased-threat-of-radwan-force-in>,
and now Sayyed Fouad Shokor, only spurred the Resistance forward, as their
teachings have become cornerstones for incoming and existing generations.

   - [image: How the Axis of Resistance overcomes Israeli assassinations]
   <https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/8/3/f7bbd869-f91e-4ff5-a450-a661d6fbf3fd.jpg?width=1000>
   Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah speaks via a video link, during a
   ceremony to mark the anniversary of the death of Hezbollah leaders, in the
   southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013. (AP)

Hamas also experienced a similar journey, as the Israeli occupation worked
to dismantle its entire military and political structure. Instead, it was
faced with a growing popular base and increasingly more resolute
leadership. The assassination of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, Doctor Abdel Aziz
al-Rantisi, and now Ismail Haniyeh, did not and will not produce any
positive results for Israeli security, instead, the aftermath of the latest
assassination indicates growing bonds between different factions and
peoples of the Axis of Resistance.

The same goes for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and its military wing
al-Quds Brigades, which recently experienced a wide-scale assassination
campaign in 2022 and 2023 where the Israeli strike eliminated a substantial
number of leaders. Nevertheless, al-Quds Brigades has proven to be one of
the region's most active and skilled military apparatuses. It continues to
be the second strongest organization in the Gaza Strip, the most militarily
active in the occupied West Bank, and maintains operations from South
Lebanon and Syria.

   - [image: How the Axis of Resistance overcomes Israeli assassinations]
   <https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/8/3/50344a1d-6e01-4972-8523-e6b68134781e.png?width=1000>
   An illustration shows the names and pictures of Palestinian Islamic Jihad
   leaders and fighters assassinated or martyred in battles against Israeli
   occupation forces. (al-Quds Brigades/Military Media)

A commonality observed between all the aforementioned organizations is that
these assassinations have also left behind a legacy carried on by other
leaders, fighters, and supporters. The names of those assassinated become
ominous with the faction. The association between these high-profile
personalities and the factions goes beyond mere aesthetics and as their
journeys become inherent foundations for others to follow.

The accumulation of such leaders, whose lives ended in the most honorable
manner, during a time when exit plans are easy to attain, only adds to the
legacy and history of the parties. Further enhancing factions' political
standing and legitimate struggle for an unassailable cause. Decisions such
as naming a newly organized force, or a weapon, or commemorating the lives
of the martyrs in yearly memorials all play into raising awareness of the
martyred leaders' careers and further cementing their work into the
public's collective consciousness.

*Read more: Al-Qassam unveils M-90 rocket following 3 barrages on "Tel
Aviv"
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/al-qassam-unveils-m-90-rocket-following-3-barrages-on--tel-a>*
Organizational, operational excellence

Integrating the journeys and legacies of the martyrs into the parties'
aesthetic is crucial to developing the parties' own legacy and legitimacy
among supporters and members. Nevertheless, serious work goes into
bypassing short-term turbulence and organizational impasse, caused by
high-profile assassinations.

In the early stages of these movements, military-related knowledge was
limited to basic training, the use and production of improvised explosives,
and the operation of a variety of cannons. Although limited, when employed
properly, these basic methods could produce impactful results that pushed
against Israeli aggression on Lebanon for decades.

Critically, the accumulation of military and security-related knowledge, as
well as the dissemination of the know-how across self-acting or directed
cells, kept the heritage alive, even if the original idea-bearer was
retired.

More recently, as the Resistance accumulated several substantial
experiences, armed groups, and cells were molded and morphed into regular
squads. These new formations meant that Resistance fighters had clear
organizational guidelines, rules, sanctions, documented knowledge, and
training exercises curtailed by an elite few who paved the way for
thousands to follow.

Across the plane, Resistance factions honored the careers of martyrs with
strategic responses to their assassination or martyrdom on the battlefield.
It is worth noting that the Resistance faces a much more superior military
force in "Israel" and the United States, meaning that direct responses to
the killing of martyrs are often seen as lacking by the public.

However, in the backrooms, the Resistance responds to these attacks by
establishing vital projects and weaponry. Such actions only come to their
true fruition in later stages of confrontations, where these projects cut
further into Israeli security.

Here is a list of such examples, in which the martyrdom of key leaders led
to grand plans.

   - Hezbollah's Radwan Force: Named after Imad Mughniyeh's military
   codename, the force is now one of the world's most developed and highly
   skilled non-state military groups.
   - Al-Qassam Brigades' Ghoul sniper rifle: In memory of Adnan al-Ghoul,
   al-Qassam developed their own sniper rifle, and with it squads of
   highly-trained individuals that have reaped dozens of Israeli soldiers in
   the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood.
   - Al-Quds Brigades' Ali Al-Aswad Force: Keeping the name of Ali Ramzi
   al-Aswad in the public collective memory, al-Quds Brigades named their
   forces in Syria after the martyr. The force is among a few factions
   participating in operations in support of the Palestinian people from South
   Lebanon and participated in a commando operation against an Israeli base in
   the early days of the war.

The recent appointment of Yahya Sinwar
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/who-is-yahya-al-sinwar-the-artist-behind-operation-al-aqsa-f>
as the leader of Hamas' Political Bureau underscores the organizational
resilience and enduring legacy of the Islamic Resistance Movement, which
successfully countered Israeli plots. Sinwar, widely as the architect
behind Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, was unanimously chosen for the highest
organizational role, reflecting both his critical influence within the
movement and the strong support for his vision among Hamas' top echelon at
this stage of the Israeli war on Palestine. His leadership is expected to
usher Hamas into a new era characterized by proactive and strategic
political maneuvers, marking a significant counter-response to the
assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.

Crossnational cooperation crushes effects of Israeli-US assassinations

The Axis of Resistance has seen historic cooperation across different
factions.

Unsurprisingly, in phases of escalation, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard
Corps (IRGC) records several martyrs, designated as military advisors.
Similarly, Hezbollah, after gaining years of military experience, also saw
several of its fighters martyred in countries such as Iraq and Yemen during
times of war.

Military advisors as well as joint coordination rooms have played vital
roles in overcoming the short-term effects of assassinations and deaths
among the Resistance's cadre. Advisors play a key role in training new sets
of Resistance fighters on advanced weapons systems, including drones,
ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. They also disseminate the
extensive knowledge amassed from decades of confrontations and warfare,
ensuring it permeates every possible level of the Axis.

The significance of knowledge-sharing within the Axis of Resistance cannot
be overstated. This exchange of expertise has enabled factions to protect
fighters using tunnels from Israeli-American targeting systems, bolster
their strength through the production and deployment of rockets, and
identify and exploit vulnerabilities in Israeli defenses. It also plays a
key role within the faction itself, as the martyrdom of leaders, such as
that in the Gaza Strip, does not affect the operationality of lower-tier
members, who have undergone the necessary training and have a flurry of
instructional manuals available to complete relatively simple tasks.

It so happens that resisting Israeli occupation is popular in West Asia,
attracting thousands to take on one of modern history's most unrelenting
enemies. Armed with extensive knowledge and collective determination, the
Axis of Resistance has consistently withstood the impacts of Israeli
assassinations and will continue to do so, in the case of the martyred
leaders Shokor and Haniyeh.

*Read more: Iran's support for Resistance strategic, firm: IRGC's Qaani
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iran-s-support-for-resistance-strategic--firm--irgc-s-qaani>*
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